Expansive Project Tied to Entergy’s Proposed Gas Plant Development
November 20, 2024
Tech giant Meta is poised to make a major investment in Louisiana with plans to construct a cutting-edge data center campus near Monroe in Richland Parish’s Holly Ridge. Reports from local outlets, including the Shreveport Times and the Shreveport Bossier Advocate, highlight Meta’s intent to build a multi-billion-dollar artificial intelligence data center in the region.
According to Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell, Meta is preparing to commit $5 billion to the development, marking a significant economic boost for the state. While detailed plans are scarce, filings associated with an affiliate company named Laidley, LLC, refer to the project as “Project Sucre.”
Axiom, citing public notices, indicates that the campus will encompass over 2,250 acres of agricultural land located near Highway 183 and Thomas Road. This sprawling site underscores the scale of Meta’s ambitions for the area.
Energy Plans Linked to the Development
Entergy, a prominent utility company, has proposed the construction of a 1.5GW natural gas plant near Holly Ridge. Industry speculation suggests that the power plant will support the energy needs of the upcoming Meta data center. This aligns with Meta’s commitment to sustainable energy practices, as the company has already secured a Power Purchase Agreement with RWE for a 100MW solar farm in Louisiana, expected to go live in 2025.
Meta’s Data Center Expansion in 2024
This new Louisiana campus is the latest in a string of data center developments announced by Meta throughout 2024. Other projects include facilities in Jeffersonville, Indiana; Aiken, South Carolina; Cheyenne, Wyoming; Rosemount, Minnesota; and Montgomery, Alabama. Earlier this year, Meta also launched a campus in Gallatin, Tennessee, and has been linked to an upcoming project in Davenport, Iowa, though no formal announcements have been made.
For more information about Meta’s ongoing projects, visit Meta.com.